4 DPO

You cannot wait to take a pregnancy test to find out if you have finally conceived. At four days post ovulation (4 DPO), the chances of getting a positive result are fairly slim. The American Pregnancy Association says that you should wait until the first day of your missed period to take a test. This is generally about two weeks after conception. If you take a test too early, you may end up getting inaccurate results.

Symptoms of 4 DPO

At this stage in a pregnancy, you are unlikely to have major symptoms. Your body is just starting to produce pregnancy hormones, so changes in your body are not yet happening. The most common symptom at this point is exhaustion or fatigue. At 4 DPO, some women experience gas, dull cramps, bloating or pressure. A select few women may notice a backache, nausea, sore nipples, increased cervical fluid and headaches.

What Does It Mean If I Have Negative Pregnancy Test Results?

False positive results rarely happen, but it is entirely possible to get a false negative result. If you take a pregnancy test too early, you do not have enough hCG in your body to detect. A negative result could mean that your hCG levels are too low to detect, or you may have not done the test properly. It could also mean that you are not pregnant.

If you want to take a pregnancy test this early, your best option is to do a blood test at the doctor’s office. Blood tests are more sensitive, so they can get results up to seven days after conception. Since blood tests are more expensive, it may not be worth it to get the early result. Plus, you would still have to wait until seven days post ovulation to do a blood test.

Can I Get a False Positive?

If the results of your pregnancy test are positive, then it means that the pregnancy test is detecting hCG in your body. In rare cases, this can occur because of an ovarian problem, medications that have hCG or menopause. Some women may also have a positive result early on and miscarry before their missed period. When this happens, the result was not a false positive—it was a real positive that unfortunately did not work out.

If you have a negative result on your pregnancy test and still have other symptoms, then you best bet is to wait a few more days before retaking the test. Your hCG levels will double every few days, so waiting a few days could be enough to get an accurate result on the pregnancy test. Like always, take care of your body, avoid alcohol and follow your doctor’s recommendations until you retest because it is possible that you could be pregnant.

Nothing is worse than the waiting game, but you will most likely have to wait a week or two to find out if you are pregnant for sure. At 4 DPO, your body lacks the hCG levels necessary for a blood or urine test to pick up. Be patient and retest later on.